Sunday, March 18, 2012

Why the Hovawart Must Never Become Popular

The Hovawart is not a popular breed at all. Which really is a blessing in disguise, as popularity is something a purebred dog can't afford.
Crufts 2012, one of the most prestigious dog shows in the world, was held last week. And for the first time the Kennel Club had a number of breeds health tested, due to the pressure that all started by the BBC show "Pedigree dogs exposed".

In the Hovawart world, Crufts is actually not such a big thing, and it certainly doesn't attract a crowd. Few dogs participated in each category, 6 at the most. The shows from special clubs with only Hovawarts are far more popular, with the yearly show from the International Hovawart Federation (IHF) as the grand finale.

Kenzo participated in the last IHF show. Picture me and Kenzo running around in comfy shorts through the ring on the fields of the local football club. Compare that with the fancy and prestigious atmosphere of Crufts. When I think of it, showing a Hovawart with a handler dressed in a suit and tie sounds like a contradiction in itself.

Breeding is quite complex, but the principles are very simple. A breeder seeks the correct balance between temperament, health, looks and genetic diversity. Every serious breeder would therefore agree with me the above is an example of bad breeding. Some didn't take it all that well though. The most amusing response was this conspiracy theory where extreme animal activists together with PETA have been plotting to destroy the dog as we know it. One minute you are talking innocent health tests and low inbreeding coefficients, to find yourself in the middle of the apocalypse the next.

And then there is popularity. The Crufts Best of Show 2012, Zentarr Elizabeth from Margaret Anderson, was interviewed by the Daily Mail The most high-maintenance blonde in Britain: Crufts' biggest diva eats sirloin steak, has twice-weekly blow-drys and pedicures... and is FAR too posh for walkies. The winner of Crufts has never, yes never, been on a dog walk. Margaret Anderson's obsession for dog shows evolved into a golden cage for her dogs. And Margaret is on the look-out for a mate for Zentarr. So far none has made the grade. Margaret to the Daily Mail: "I think I'll probably use one of my own males. There's Morgan, who's just one certificate away from champion status," she says. The dogs are, she admits, distantly related, a few generations back." Zentarr's inbreeding coefficient is 18,1 % already.

Would the Hovawart gain popularity, people like Margaret will come by. May god forbid I will ever have to meet a Hovawart that has never been on a dog walk, never been dirty, and lives in a golden cage. Popularity comes with a high prize. Maybe I should stop writing about the Hovawart. I will re-baptize this blog as "Kenzo the Golden Mutt" and start a campaign that there is no such thing as a Hovawart. Just to keep the Margaret's of this world away.

Congratulations to Ms C. Travers, the Hovawart Best of Breed winner of Crufts 2012, with Finya Palacowe Pieknosci - see picture above. Not only with your prize, but also with Finya's inbreeding coefficient of 0.0%, as is shown on Mate Select. You must be very proud, and you should.

16 comments

It broke my heart a little when I heard that the Cruft's BIS had never been on a dog walk (I think the Pedigreed Dogs Exposed blog talked about this too? I hadn't seen that article yet) Was occasionally permitted in their back garden, which was paving stones, so that they could bleach and sterilize it. That they didn't want something to happen so she could "never show again".

No joy for the dog, no joy for the owner. Also, she has TWENTY dogs that she does this with? I understand having a joy, or a hobby, but there's a point at which that level of focus and control is no longer considered mentally healthy.

It was horrible to read. No doubt in my mind that Margaret once started this for the love of her dogs. The same we see with hoarders, or in the human world, with teen beauty queens. She needs help, yet I wonder how the extreme "show world" cannot see this, or maybe they are just all nutcases? I feel sad to for all the breeders and showers I know that DO have their things in order and get compared with the few that spoil it for the rest.

Glad that I could inspire you to write a post of your own :D I feel the same way about Vizslas, but like Hovawarts, the breeders of the dogs tend to focus more on ability and less on pretty. Pretty is okay, but it shouldn't get in the way of healthy dogs.

It's no surprise at the way the Lhasa lives. Most top winning show dogs live their lives in a cotton ball. It's a weird kind of paradox, the dog is getting the absolute best care possible BUT is it getting to live like a dog and do doggie things? When a person gets to this level of dog showing, it's not about the dog, but more about the vanity of the owner.

I've really enjoyed your pics on Facebook of Kenzo playing on the beach and it makes me sad to think of this dog that's never even been for a walk - it's ridiculous! And I'm appalled that this woman would consider using one of her own (related) dogs to breed, thereby increasing the inbred coefficient of the next generation. It seems dogs in excess of the 6% acceptable level should be disqualified from participating shows.

What a horrible thing. I too feel that dogs with a 6% or more inbreeding coefficient should be disqualified! Quit rewarding the breeders who make all of the actual responsible ones look bad. And that poor poor Llasa. Show dogs should always be PETS first, and show dogs second. That is the way my dogs are, and I will never treat one of my pets that way.

The whole thing just completely bums me out. A few bad apples ruin it for the rest of us who are trying to make the public realize that not all show dogs live this way and that there is so much more to the sport. The same thing goes for breeders. There are so many great ones out there but all we hear about is the bad ones.

Congratulations to Ms C Travers and koodos to you for acknowledging her accomplishemnt!